Band caps stay at East Stroudsburg North with show

An area high school senior is spending his entire summer vacation doing something he loves — performing baritone in a marching band.

MELANIE VANDERVEER

An area high school senior is spending his entire summer vacation doing something he loves — performing baritone in a marching band.

Will Careri, 17, a senior this fall at East Stroudsburg North High School, won a coveted spot in Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corps, a nonprofit corporation founded in 1990 by a group of band instructors who wanted to provide year-round marching band activity for band members.

"We hold auditions beginning in November, and they are actually a rolling process. Each audition spans an entire weekend and during the course of the weekend, there is ample rehearsal time," said Stephanie Dutcher, assistant corps director of Jersey Surf. "We lead the students through what typical Jersey Surf rehearsal is like and pull members one at a time to hear their audition. We not only select students based on their ability, but also on their attitude, attendance over the course of the winter months and improvement over the course of several weekends."

Jersey Surf has been using the North High School campus for its spring training for the past several years. Spring training begins in June as the drum corps puts in final touches before the competitive season begins and lasts into August.

"These past several years have been such a great opportunity to have a world-class drum corps like Jersey Surf using our facilities because my students can see what a great drum corps looks and sounds like," said Paul Bakner, director of bands at East Stroudsburg North High School, who said they always hold a preview show for the community as a thank-you before going on their national competitive tour.

Careri is the first North High School student to participate in an International Open Class Drum Corps.

"It's a pretty big honor for Will," said Bakner. "And having known him for three years now as his teacher, I know that he is both up to the challenge and able to handle the pressure of setting the standard for other North students."

Careri credits Bakner for showing him a Jersey Surf video when he was a freshman.

"You have to fight for some of the spots, and a lot of people don't get accepted," Careri said. "I'm very excited to be a part of this."

Careri has played the baritone for eight years, and has been a part of North High School's marching band since freshman year. While marching band can have a grueling schedule with band camp beginning in August and competitions going through November, Careri knew this would be as much, if not more work, running from 6 a.m.-midnight. "It's nonstop playing and marching all day," he said.

But Careri said it's a time for bonding among band members.

"The Jersey Surf was founded on the premise that the members and staff really love music and performing," said Bob Jacobs, executive corps director. "The corps' motto of 'Share the Love' really captures everything we want anyone involved in the corps to feel, whether they be a marching band member, a staff member, a parent or volunteer, or a member of the audience. 'Share the Love' isn't just our motto; it's a lifestyle choice that we want to share with everyone we come into contact with."

Upon his return from Jersey Surf competition, Careri jumps into North High School's competitive marching band's three-week-long band camp for his final time.

OPTIONAL CUT

Bakner is excited for the experience Careri will have.

"Hosting such high quality musical groups in East Stroudsburg wouldn't be possible without the support and encouragement of the school district administration and the school board," Bakner said. "Their support for hosting these high-quality musical groups is just one reason why East Stroudsburg was named one of the top communities for music education in America this past year."

Bakner referred to the National Association of Music Merchants accolade in April.

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